Archive of articles from 2007

Will a new generation die of ignorance?

<i>Pointing to rising HIV rates, the politics.co.uk editor asks whether the "don't die of ignorance" message has been forgotten, with the government under pressure to refocus on HIV education.</i>

How paternalistic can liberals be in promoting health?

<i>Norman Lamb, Lib Dem health spokesman, tells politics.co.uk the NHS must be more responsive to its patients, with an emphasis on promoting wellness rather than curing sickness.</i>

How far can governments go to promote good health?

Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary, argues it is possible for government's to take the lead in promoting public health without telling people how to live their lives.

Radical policies needed against 'ticking health time bomb'

Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Tyne and Wear, tells politics.co.uk that free, hot meals for all school children would help cut obesity and reverse health inequalities.

Two years on: The jury's still out on 24-hour licensing

When 24-hour drinking came into force in 2005 it was touted as a solution to rising levels of alcohol-related crime. Now, Gordon Brown is actively considering abandoning it.

Fat is a government issue

Obesity is now firmly a matter for public policy, with the government citing the strain on the NHS to justify a raft of targets for a slimmer nation.

We must do more to help first-time buyers

Housing minister Yvette Cooper warns politicians cannot ignore the need to build more houses to contain prohibitive house price growth. She says the government is committed to protecting the green belt, but local interest groups and politicians must drop their opposition to sustainable new communities.

Making affordable housing affordable

Liberal Democrat communities and local government spokesman Andrew Stunell calls on the government to make housing truly affordable. Gordon Brown must focus on social rented housing as much as home-ownership, he warns, or risk a rise in repossessions and homelessness.

Affordable housing

Decisive action needed on climate change

The secretary of state David Miliband launched the draft climate change bill with the insistence there is no longer any debate that climate change is a reality and emissions are to blame. Working from this assumption, the climate change bill commits the UK to reducing emissions, based on a new system of carbon budgets and enforced by a climate change committee

Bill is no substitute for action

The Liberal Democrat environment minister Chris Huhne outlines the Lib Dem's concerns with the climate change bill in its current form. Although welcoming it as a starting point to curb emissions, Mr Huhne warns the bill is weakened by a lack of yearly targets and is vulnerable to political interference - allowing governments to avoid responsibility for missed targets.

Doing nothing is not an option

The secretary of state for transport Douglas Alexander explains where the government stands so far on road pricing, ahead of local government pilot schemes. With congestion set to increase by 25 per cent by 2015, he warns doing nothing is not an option.

Government out of touch on road pricing scheme

The shadow transport Chris Grayling argues the government is out of touch over the "pie in the sky" national road pricing scheme. He argues the 1.8 million people who signed an anti-road pricing petition were right to oppose an unrealistic scheme that should not be forced on local authorities.

Ignoring road pricing debate is irresponsible

The Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Alistair Carmichael calls on drivers to ignore the "myths" surrounding road pricing. The facts include rising congestion and a rising threat to the economy and environment and maintain the status quo is no longer feasible.

Westminster must not impose road pricing on Wales

Adam Price, Plaid Cymru parliamentary transport spokesperson, explains why Plaid support road pricing in principle, pointing to the success of congestion charging and small-scale road pricing schemes. But he questions whether a UK-wide scheme would meet Wales' unique transport needs.

Carbon offsetting offers a realistic solution

The environment minister Ian Pearson explains why the government is working towards a code of best practice on carbon offsetting and why it believes offsetting can be an effective part of a realistic strategy to combat climate change.

Reduction not offsetting is the key

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne says carbon offsetting must be more than just a fashion statement if it is to have a real positive effect on climate change. He argues the long-term objective must be to reduce carbon emissions.

Offsetting has 'very limited role'

The Green Party's principal speaker Dr Derek Wall highlights the shortcomings of carbon offsetting, concluding it can have only a very limited role in the fight against climate change. He argues any system will need to be regulated by strong legislation to ensure companies do offset carbon emissions as promised.